Class EA Project Filing

MVCA has completed an environmental assessment (EA) of the Kashwakamak Lake Dam located in the Township of North Frontenac on the main stem of the Mississippi River. An EA Project File Report (PFR), has been prepared in accordance with the Conservation Ontario’s Class Environmental Assessment for Remedial Flood and Erosion Control Projects and is being placed on public record for a 30-day review period from November 14th to December 16th, 2024. Written comments may be provided to the Project Team by December 16th, 2024, from the date of the public notice.

Project Background

In 2020, MVCA conducted a Risk Assessment and in 2021 a Dam Safety Review (DSR) that concluded that structural issues at the dam needed to be addressed within 5 years. MVCA added this work to its 10-year capital plan and applied for and secured a grant from the Federal Government (Infrastructure Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF)) and the Provincial Government (Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure (WECI)) to support planning, design, and construction activities. In March 2023, MVCA hired Egis (previously McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd.) to conduct a Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study to determine how best to address dam deficiencies.

Environmental Assessment Process

This project is being carried out in accordance with the process for Conservation Ontario’s Class EA for Remedial Flood and Erosion Control Projects under the Environmental Assessment Act.  A Class EA characterizes the study area, identifies alternative solutions, evaluates each alternative’s potential impacts on the natural, cultural, social and economic environments, and identifies measures to mitigate potential adverse effects.  The EA process ensures that community members, Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and public agencies are engaged at key points during the study to identify and consider options for resolving the issue.

Project Status

The project officially launched in May 2023 with a Notice of Intent for the Kashwakamak Lake Dam Class EA issued to stakeholders, the public, property owners, technical agencies, municipalities, and Indigenous Communities. Since then, several studies have been completed to support development and assessment of alternative approaches:

• Cultural Heritage Evaluation
• Existing Environmental Conditions Investigation
• Hydraulic Analysis Memorandum
• Marine Archaeological Assessment
• Stage 1 & 2 and Stage 3 Archaeological Assessments
• Draft Geotechnical Investigation and Design Recommendations

The Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment was completed in May 2024 during which a small Indigenous site was encountered.  This prompted a Stage 3 Archaeological Assessment, which was completed in August 2024.  The Stage 3 Assessment identified an assemblage of artifacts, including chipped stone and small mammal bones.  Stage 4 mitigation options were investigated and an “avoid and protect” approach confirmed as the preferred option with input and acceptance from First Nations communities.

The team identified and evaluated five alternative approaches:

• Alternative 1: Do Nothing
• Alternative 2: Decommission the Existing Dam and Construct Passive Control System
• Alternative 3: Rehabilitation of the Existing dam
• Alternative 4: Replace Existing Dam at the Same Location
• Alternative 5: Construct New Dam Downstream

The technically preferred option is Alternative 4: Replace Existing Dam at the Same Location.

Public Consultation

A Community Liaison Committee (CLC) was established in 2023 to hear various perspectives and obtain input at key points in the study process in advance of engaging the broader public through more traditional consultation means. CLC meetings were held in February and July 2024 and were attended by local residents and representatives from a local First Nation and the Kashwakamak Lake Association. The project team also organized a virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) in May 2024 to provide information to the public about the project and the recommended technically preferred alternative (Alternative 4). A recording of the PIC can be accessed here.